Strap installation tool

ABSTRACT

Two structural embodiments are disclosed, each has resiliently connected jaws with a cutter on each jaw cooperating with the cutter on the other jaw. A cam lever is pivotally mounted to one of the jaws and has a cam operatively engageable with the other jaw to operate and position the jaws relative to each other, and to operate a strap tensioning pawl.

United States Patent Caveney et al.

1451 Feb. 29, 1972 [54] STRAP INSTALLATION TOOL [72] Inventors: Jack E.Caveney, Chicago; Roy A. Moody, Flossmoor; Raymond F. Roberson, TinleyPark, all of I11.

[73] Assignee: Panduit, Tinley Park, 111.

[22] Filed: Mar. 19, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 20,927

[52] 11.8. C1 ..l40/93.2, 140/1236 [51] Int. Cl. .3211 9/00 [58] Fieldof Search ..140/93, 932,117, 121, 123.5,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Bell ..140/93 Schwester etal. 140/ 123.6

Brohawn 140/1 23.6

Lawson et a] 140/1216 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson Attorney-Evan D.Roberts [57] ABSTRACT Two structural embodiments are disclosed, each hasresiliently connected jaws with a cutter on each jaw cooperating withthe cutter on the other jaw. A cam lever is pivotally mounted to one ofthe jaws and has a cam operatively engageable with the other jaw tooperate and position the jaws relative to each other, and to operate astrap tensioning pawl.

28 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures Pmmmmeemz 6 3,645,302

SHEET 1 [IF 2 30 38 48 jj/ 57 r 62 FIG. 6 FIG. ll

INVENTORS.

JACK E. CAVENEY ROY A. MOODY RAYMOND F. ROBERSON ATTORNEY STRAPINSTALLATION 'roor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention related to a handtool forinstalling a binder strap by tensioning and severing a strap which hasthe end thereof inserted through a retaining collar to assume anassembled condition. The tool of this invention provides cutters andjaws that can be positioned to accept and tension the end of theassembled strap to the exclusion of the retaining collar thereof, or toaccept a strap and a strap retaining collar of an assembled or installedstrap for severing same, and thereby respectively facilitate either theseverance of an installed strap, or the tensioning assembly of a strapto install same.

The subject invention provides a strap installation tool wherein strapcutters and jaws thereof are automatically positioned and actuated by asingle continuous pivotal movement of a cam lever whereby a cutter or aslipper and jaw structure is positioned to restrain movement of a strapretaining collar of a partially assembled strap while the end of thestrap is moved through the retaining collar to tension the strap withrespect to the collar thereof to facilitate the snug installation of thestrap to a bundle of wires or the like.

In addition, the structure of the tool in this invention provides anautomatic positioning of cutter teeth for restraining a strap retainingcollar without requiring supplemental restraining structures thereforwhile tensioning a strap with respect to the retaining collar thereof toautomatically complete the assembly of the strap and to install thestrap to a bundle or the like by a single or repeated oscillatorymovement of a single cam lever.

The structure of the subject invention further automatically provideslimited tensioning and ultimate severing of the strap after apredetermined tension is reached within the strap or upon arbitrarydetermination to sever the strap prior to reaching a given tensionlimit, all of which is provided in response to the pivotal movement ofthe single actuating lever.

It is a further object of this invention to provide full open andtensioning positions for the jaws thereof as relatively stabledetent-type reactions with respect to the tool actuating lever toprovide readily obtainable and physically recognizable positions duringthe single continuous pivotal movement of the cam lever in the manualoperation of the tool.

Other advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparentupon consideration of the following detailed description, in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings within:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned top plan view of a first basicembodiment of the handtool of this invention showing a strap loopedaround a bundle of wires, through the strap retaining collar, andinserted into the tool against a deflector or guide thereof. FIG. 2 is aside elevation view of the first embodiment of the tool illustrated inFIG. 1 showing the cutter in position to allow entry of the strap andthe restraining strap retaining collar.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1showing the strap being tensioned by the tensioning pawl.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 1showing the strap cutting action thereof.

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of the firstembodiment of this invention showing the jaws thereof in the full openposition with the cutters spaced apart to receive the strap retainingcollar of an assembled strap.

FIG. 6 is a detail plan view of the pawl shown in FIGS. l-S.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1 showing the tooth of the pawl in engagement with the strap shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7showing interreaction between the tensioning pawl and the lower jaw andthe strap.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the third embodiment of the pawl showing onelateral row of teeth.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along line 10-40 of FIG. 9showing the configuration of the gripping surface of the pawl therein.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the strap gripperelement of a third embodiment of the pawl shown in FIGS. 3-8 havingmultiple longitudinal gripping teeth.

FIG; 12 is a partial sectional top plan view of a second basicembodiment of the tool of this invention showing a partially assembledstrap with the end thereof looped around a bundle, inserted through astrap retaining head, and inserted through the cutters of the tool intothe guide between the jaws thereof.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the tool of this invention asillustrated in FIG. 12 and showing the cutter thereof in position toallow entry of the end of the strap and to restrain the strap retainingcollar.

FIG. 14 is partially sectioned view of the tool of this inventionillustrated in FIG. 12 and taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 11 showing thestrap being tensioned by the pawl, the tension relief structure in thelower jaw, and a strap deflector.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the tool illustrated in FIG. 12showing the strap cutting action thereof.

FIG. 16 is a partially sectioned side elevation view of the secondembodiment of this invention showing jaws in the full open positionthereof with the cutters spaced apart to receive the strap retainingcollar of an assembled strap.

FIG. 17 is a general partial sectional view of the cutter portion of thetool of this invention showing same in combination with a bundlerestraining bracket.

A strap installation tool generally represented by the numeral 20 isshown in FIGS. 1-7 for the purpose of illustrating and describing abasic and preferred first embodiment of this invention. Tool 20includes, generally, first jaw 21, second jaw 22, cam lever 23, cam 24,fulcrum bracket 25, and tensioning pawl 26. Tool 20 is illustrated withrespect to the typical use thereof in regard to the installation of astrap 28 (FIGS. l-5) around wires 29 wherein the strap 28 is assembledby looping the end 28a thereof around the wires 29, inserting the freeend 280 through a strap retaining collar 30 (FIGS. I-3), and insertingthe end 28a of the strap 28 into tool 20 to bundle the wires 29(FIGS.3and4).

laws 21 and 22 are made of resilient material such as spring steel andare respectively bent so as to be spaced apart at the left (FIGS. 1-5)when rigidly secured together at the right on a guide or deflector 31 bya rivet 32 or the like. A resilient hand saddle 33 is also secured tothe jaw 21 by rivet 32 and is provided with a flange 34 whereby tool 20can be urged to the left toward bundle 29 when tool 20 is held in thehand with the fingers positioned laterally in saddle 33.

Cutters 37 and 38 are respectively provided on jaws 21 and 22 tocooperate to sever strap 28 therebetween when jaws 21 and 22 are movedtogether against the resilient bias thereof (FIG. 4). Restrainingsurfaces 39 and 40 are respectively provided on cutters 37 and 38. Aninsertion guide or deflector 41 is secured to upper jaw 22 between jaws21 and 22 by a rivet or similar means 42 and is adapted to direct strap28, inserted between cutters 37 and 38 (FIG. 2), toward upper surface 43of lower jaw 21 so as to pass beneath pawl 26.

Fulcrum 25 (FIGS. l-5) is secured to lower jaw 21 by a rivet or similarmeans 45, is provided with two upwardly extending fulcrum arms 46, andhas a pivot comprising a pin 47 extending between arms 46 beyond secondjaw 22. Cam lever 23 is 'pivotally retained on pivot pin 47 with cam 24comprising two extended members 24 with a series of cam surface portions48, 49, 50, and 51 adapted to engage with upper surface 52 of upper jaw22 adjacent cutter 38.

In particular, cam surface portion 48 is illustrated as a flat surfaceand provides a full open position (FIG. 5) when lever 23 is moved to thefull counterclockwise position to facilitate positioning of cutter 38with respect to cutter 37 to allow-the doubled strap 28 and retainingcollar 30 to enter therebetween. Cam surface portion 49 is also flat andprovides a reaction with the upperjaw 22 to position the upper jaw withrespect to the lower jaw 21 (FIG. 2) whereby strap 28 may enter betweencutters 37 and 38 but, collar 30 will be restrained from movementtherebetween by restraining surfaces 39 and 40.

Cam surface portion 50 is substantially concentric with respect to pivot47 and accordingly, movement of lever 23 causing cam portion 50 to reactwith upper jaw 22 by movement of lever 23 between the FIG. 2 position(shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3) to the position shown in FIG. 3, willprovide no change in relative position of cutters 37 and 38 of j aws 21and 22. Cam surface portion 51 is an extended eccentric surface whereby,movement of lever 23 from the position shown in FIG. 3 (shown in phantomlines in FIG. 4) to the position shown in FIG. 4, the upper jaw 22 willbe moved with respect to the lower jaw 21 to cause cutters 37 and 38 tocooperate to sever strap 28 therebetween.

Pawl 26 (FIGS. 1-8) is generally U-shaped in cross section (FIGS. 6 and8) with longitudinally extending arms 55 (FIGS. 2 and 6) adapted to bepivotally connected to lever 23 by a pin 56 whereby pawl 26 iseccentrically mounted with respect to pivot 47 of lever 23. A torsionspring 57 is mounted on pin 56 with ends 58 and 59 thereof respectivelyin engagement with an inner surface 60 of lever 23 and a lateral bar 61on pawl 26 to provide a bias between lever 23 and pawl 26. The bias thuscreated by spring 57 will urge pawl 26 toward upper surface 43 of lowerjaw 21, and lever 23 counterclockwise about pivot 47.

Jaws 21 and 22 are placed in the full open position (FIG. by movinglever 23 counterclockwise from any other position shown. In lieu of anyaction from spring 57, this counterclockwise movement will be limited byeither: full open cam surface 48 in reaction with upper surface 52 ofjaw 22: or a gripper element 62 in engagement with jaw 22 (FIG. 5).

Gripper element 62 is provided with a laterally extending tooth 63having a radius 64 on one of both ends thereof adapted to respectivelyengage upper comers 65 of jaw 21 when pawl 26 is urged toward jaw 21 byspring 57 and the clockwise action of lever 23. A space 66 is thusprovidedbetween gripper tooth 63 and surface 43 of jaw 21 to allowgripper tooth 63 to embed into strap 28 but, to prevent direct cuttingof strap 28 by complete and direct severing action between surface 43and tooth 63.

The second and third embodiment of the pawl gripper element teeth 67 and68 (FIGS. 9 and 11) illustrated on pawls 26a and 26b (FIGS 9-11) may beused in lieu of tooth 63 (FIG. 7) and with or without radius 64. Thespacing required between teeth 67 and the upper surface 43 of jaw 21 toprevent cutting of strap 28 by complete and direct action betweensurface 43 and tooth 67, is provided by the recesses 69 between thelateral row of teeth 67. Likewise, recess 70 between teeth 68 (FIG. 11)will cause the force exerted by pawl 26 against strap 28 to bedistributed over the strap material confined therein and thus tend toprevent the direct cutting of strap 28 by the pawl 26b.

In operation, the first embodiment of the tool of this invention isutilized in conjunction with a binder strap 28 which is assembled byinsertion of the end thereof through a retaining collar 30 (FIG. 1) withthe strap being looped around a bundle of wires or the like 29 (FIGS. 2and 3) upon which the strap is to be installed (FIG. 4 and 5). The endof the assembled strap 28a is inserted in the tool 20 with lever 23preferably in the tensioning position (FIG. 2) wherein flat cam surface49 has been caused to position jaw 22 with respect to jaws 21 so thatcutters 37 and 38 are positioned to allow insertion of the end of strap28 but, to restrain the retaining collar 30 of the assembled strap. Theend of the strap 280 will be directed by guide 41 to pass beneath springbiased pawl 26 and, if the strap is sufficiently long, to engagedeflector guide 31 (FIG. 1) and be directed to one side thereof.

Tool 20 is thus moved along the end of the strap until surfaces 39 and40 of the cutters 37 and 38 engage strap retaining collar 30. Lever 23is reciprocated between the FIG. 2 position to the FIG. 3 position byalternately rotating lever 23 clockwise about pivot 47 against the biasof spring 57 and jaws 21 and 22, and subsequently by releasing lever 23to allow spring 57 to urge lever 23 counterclockwise to move from theFIG. 3 position to the FIG. 2 position. The pivot 56 of the pawl 26 willurge the pawl down and to the right (FIG. 3) in engagement with strapend 28a in the first instances (FIGS. 7 and 8) with sufiicient force tomove the strap end 280 to the right along upper surface 43 of jaw 21. Aspreviously explained, radius 64 of pawl 26 will be in engagement withcomer 65 of jaw 21 to allow tooth 63 to embed in the end of strap 28but, to prevent direct severing of the end of the strap 28 by tooth 63during the tensioning action.

Eventually, strap end 280 will become tensioned between the retainingcollar 30 and tooth 63 of pawl 26 with a force balanced by the tensionin the remaining portion of the strap around bundle 29 whereby, furthertensioning reciprocation (FIGS. 2 and 3) of lever 23 will cause the endof the strap to be stretched therebetween rather than be drawn throughcollar 30. At this time, or at any time during the tensioningreciprocation of lever 23, lever 23 can be further pivoted from FIG. 3position to the FIG. 4 position to move jaw 22 with respect to jaw 21 tocause cutters 39 and 40 to cooperate to sever the end of strap 28adjacent restraining collar 30 (FIG. 4). Accordingly, successivetensioning reciprocation of lever 23 will merely result in repeatedstretching and contracting of the strap 28 around the bundle 29.

If strap 28 is caused to reach the limit of its elasticity by thetensioning reciprocation of lever 23, or if strap end 28a does notpossess sufficient resiliency to allow the repeated stretching andcontracting as a result of the tensioning reciprocation of lever 23referred to above, repeated tensioning oscillation of lever 23 willresult in stretching without contraction, which in turn, will result inexcess stretching of strap 28 between cutters 37 and 38 and the tooth 63of pawl 26. However, inasmuch as tooth 63 is caused to partially embedin the strap 28 (FIG. 7) during tensioning reciprocation of lever 23,thereby reducing the strap cross-sectional area, the stress on the strapwill be the greatest in this area causing the strap to eventually tendto fracture at this point upon continued tensioning stretching, thuspreventing further and possible undesirable tensioning of strap 28 aboutbundle 29. Thus, the first embodiment of the tool of this inventionprovides automatic strap tension limitation predetermined by, amongother things, the configuration of tooth 63 and the characteristics andconfiguration of the material of the strap 28.

A strap installation tool generally represented by the numeral is shownin FIGS. 12-16 for the purpose of illustrating and describing a basicsecond embodiment of this invention. Tool 80 includes, generally, firstjaw 81, second jaw 82, cam lever 83, earn 84, fulcrum 85, and tensioningpawl 86. Tool 80 is illustrated with respect to the typical use thereofin regard to the installation of a strap 88 around wires 89 wherein thestrap 88 is assembled by looping the end 88a thereof around the wires89, inserting the end 880 through a strap retaining collar 90 (FIGS.12-14), and inserting the end 88a of the strap 88 into tool 80 to bundlethe wires 89 (FIGS. 15 and 16). Jaws 81 and 82 are made of resilientmaterial such as spring steel with respective slots 81a and 82atherethrough, and are respectively bent so as to be spaced apart at theleft (FIGS. 13-16) when rigidly secured together at the right by a rivet92 or the like. Slots 81a and 82a terminated at one end in a continuousstrap deflecting surface 91, and at the other ends at 94 and 95respectively.

Cutters 97 and 98 are respectively provided on jaws 81 and 82 tocooperate to sever strap 88 therebetween when jaws 81 and 82 aremoved'together against the resilient bias thereof (FIG. 15). Restrainingsurfaces 99 and 100 are respectively provided on cutters 97 and 98. Aninsertion guide or deflector 101 is secured to lower jaw 81 between jaws81 and 82 and is adapted to direct strap 88, inserted between cutters 97and 98 (FIGS. 13), toward upper surface 103 of lower jaw 81 so as topass beneath pawl 86.

Fulcrum 85 (FIGS. 12-16) is secured to lower jaw 81, is provided withtwo upwardly extending fulcrum arms 106, and

have a pivot comprising a pin 107 extending between arms 106 beyondsecond jaw 82. Cam lever 83 is pivotally retained on pivot pin 107 withcam 84 comprising two extended members 84 with a series of cam surfaceportions 108, 109, 110, and 111 adapted to engage with upper surface 112of upper jaw 82 adjacent cutter 98.

In particular, cam surface portion 108 is illustrated as a flat surfaceand provides a full open position (FIG. 16) when lever 83 is moved tothe full counterclockwise position to facilitate positioning of cutter98 with respect to cutter 97 to allow the doubled strap 88 and retainingcollar 90 to enter therebetween. Cam surface portion 109 is also flatand provides a reaction with the upper jaw 82 to position upper jaw 82with respect to the lower jaw 81 (FIG. 13) whereby strap 88 may enterbetween cutters 97 and 98 but, collar 90 will be restrained frommovement therebetween by restraining surfaces 99 and 100.

Cam surface portion 110 is eccentric and curved with respect to pivot107 whereby movement of lever 83 will cause cam portion 110 to reactonly slightly with upper jaw 82 by movement of lever 83 between FIG. 13position (shown in phantom lines in FIG. 14) to the FIG. 14 position,will provide only slight change in relative position of cutters 97 and98 of jaws 81 and 82. Cam surface portion 111 is an extended eccentricsurface whereby movement of lever 83 from the position shown in FIG. 14(shown in phantom line in FIG. 15) to the FIG. 15 position, upper jaw 82will be moved with respect to lower jaw 81 to cause cutters 97 and 98 tocooperate to sever the strap 88 therebetween.

Pawl 86 (FIGS. 12-16) is generally bar shaped and is pivotally connectedto lever 83 by a pin 116 whereby pawl 86 is eccentrically mounted withrespect to pivot 107 of lever 83. A torsion spring 117 is mounted on pin116 with ends 118 and 119 thereof respectively in engagement with anintersurface 120 of lever 83 and pawl 86 to provide a bias between lever83 and pawl 86. The bias thus created by spring 117 will urge pawl 86toward upper surface 103 of lower jaw 81 and lever 83 counterclockwiseabout pivot 107 thereof.

.laws 81 and 82 are placed in the full open position (FIG. 16) by movinglever 83 counterclockwise from any other position shown. In lieu of anyaction from spring 1 17, this counterclockwise movement will be limitedby full open cam surface 108 in detent reaction with upper surface 112of jaw 82 (FIG. 16).

A general gripper element is provided on the lower end of pawl 86 andincludes a small flat surface 122 and a series of laterally extendingteeth 123. Pawl 86 is pivotally attached to lever 83 by pin 116 whereby,in lieu of a strap 88 within tool 80 and with lever 83 in the collarrestraining position (FIG. 13), pawl 86 will be rotated clockwise aboutpin 116 by spring 117 with the general plane of the gripper elementteeth 123 at an angle to surface 103 of jaw 81. Flat surface 122 of pawl86 will thereby be in engagement with surface 103 rather than teeth 123.Thus, the gripper element teeth 123 will not tend to engage surface 103when a strap 88 is not present. Accordingly, when lever 83 is movedclockwise about pin 107, urging pawl 86 downwardly and to the right(FIGS. 13 and 14) along surface 103, teeth 123 will not be caused toreact with surface 103 and thereby prevent possible damage to teeth 123or surface 103.

When a strap 88 is present between pawl 86 and jaw 81 (FIGS. 13 and 14)pawl 86 will be rotated slightly counterclockwise whereby gripperelement teeth 123 will engage and embed into strap 88 to cause strap 88to be moved to the right along surface 103 of jaw 81, when lever 83 ismoved through the tensioning stroke (FIG. 14). The recesses betweenteeth 123 will cause the force exerted by pawl 86 against strap 88 to bedistributed over the strap material confined therein and thus tend toprevent the direct cutting of strap 88 by pawl 86 in much the samematter as that referred to in regard to teeth 68 (FIG. 11) of the secondembodiment of pawl 26 of the first embodiment of this invention.

The termination edge 94 of slot 81a in jaw 81 is positioned alongsurface 103 of jaw 81 to limit the length of tensioning reaction alongsurface 103 by pawl 86 in response to the action of lever 83 through thetensioning movement thereof (FIG. 14). In particular, continuedclockwise tensioning movement of lever 83 beyond that shown (FIG.14)'will result in causing gripper element teeth 123 of pawl 86 to moveto the right beyond termination edge 94 of slot 81a (FIG. 15) topreclude further tensioning reaction with surface 103 during anycontinued clockwise movement of lever 83.

In operation, the second embodiment of the tool of this invention isutilized in conjunction with a binder strap 88 which is assembled byinsertion of the end thereof through a retaining collar (FIG. 12) withstrap 88 being looped around a bundle of wires or the like 89 (FIGS. 13and 14) upon which strap 88 is to be installed (FIGS. 15 and 16). Theend of the assembled strap 88 is inserted in the tool 80 with lever 83preferably in the tensioning position (FIG. 13) wherein flat cam surface109 has been caused to position jaw 82 with respect to jaw 81 so thatcutters 98 and 97 are positioned to allow insertion of the end of strap88 but, to restrain the retaining collar 90 of the assembled strap. Theend of the strap 88 will be directed by guide 101 to pass beneath biasedpawl 86 and, if the strap is sufficiently long, to engage deflectorguide 91 (FIGS. 14 and 15) and be directed above or below same.

Tool 80 is thus moved along the end of the strap 88 until surfaces 99and 100 of cutters 97 and 98 engage strap retaining collar 90. Lever 83is reciprocated between the FIG. 13 position to the FIG. 14 position byalternately rotating lever 83 clockwise about pivot 107 against the biasof spring 117 and spring bias of jaws 81 and 82, and subsequently byreleasing lever 83 to allow spring 117 and jaws 81 and 82 to urge lever83 counterclockwise to move from the FIG. 14 position to the FIG. 13position. The eccentric pivot 116 of the pawl 86 will urge pawl 86 downand to the right (FIG. 14) in engagement with strap end 88a, in thefirst instance, with sufficient force to move the strap end 88a to theright along upper surface 103 orjaw 81.

Eventually, strap end 880 will become tensioned between the retainingcollar 90 and teeth 123 of pawl 86 with a force balanced by the tensionin the remaining portion of the strap around bundle 98 whereby, furthertensioning reciprocation (FIGS. 13 and 14) of lever 83 will cause theend of the strap 88 to be stretched therebetween rather than be drawnthrough collar 90. At this time, or at any time during the tensioningreciprocation of lever 83, lever 83 can be further pivoted from the FIG.14 position to FIG. 15 position to move jaw 82 with respect to jaw 81 tocause cutters 99 and 100 to cooperate to sever the end of strap 88adjacent restraining collar 90 (FIG. 15). Accordingly, successivetensioning reciprocation of lever 83 will merely result in repeatedstretching and contracting of the strap 88 around the bundle 89.

If strap 88 is caused to reach the limit of its elasticity by thetensioning reciprocation of lever 83, or if strap end 88a does notpossess sufficient resiliency to allow the repeated stretching andcontracting as a result of the tensioning reciprocation of lever 83referred to above, repeated tensioning occilation of lever 83 willresult in stretching without contraction which, in turn, will result inexcess stretching of strap 88 between cutter 97 and 98 and the tooth 123of pawl 86. However, inasmuch as teeth 123 are caused to partially embedin the strap end 880 during tensioning reciprocation of lever 123,thereby reducing the strap cross-sectional area, the stress on the strapwill be the greatest in this area causing the strap to eventually tendto fracture at this point upon continued tensioning stretching, thusprecluding further and possibly undesirable tensioning of strap 88 aboutbundle 89. The second embodiment of the tool of this invention therebyprovides an automatic strap tension limitation predetermined by, amongother things, the configuration of teeth 63 and the characteristics andconfiguration of the material of the strap 28.

Further, the second embodiment of the tool of this invention provides anadditional automatic limit on the tension that can be applied to thestrap 88 by the tool 80. In particular, the location of the terminationedge 94 of the slot 81a along surface 103 will determine the effectivelength of the tensioning stroke of pawl 86 with respect to surface 103during clockwise movement of lever 83 (FIG. 14). Thus, positioning oftermination edge 94 toward cutters 97 and 98 to left will result in alesser tensioning limit on the effect from lever 83 and positioning oftermination edge 94 away from cutters 97 and 98 (to right) will resultin a greater limit on the tensioning effect from lever 83. i Anothervariation of the two illustrated embodiments of this invention is shownin FIG. 17 as applied to the preferred embodiment (FIGS. 1-5). Thisvariation includes a bundle or strap collar restrainer 125 which isshown to be formed as an extension of fulcrum 25. Restrainer 125 has arestraining surface 126 having an opening 127 therethrough for receivingstrap end 28a and for restraining collar 90 to allow tensioning of theassembled strap 28 by action of lever 23 as explained above.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thespecific constructions and arrangements shown and described, as it willbe understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be madewithout departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through astrap retaining means comprising first and second interconnected jawshaving respectively opposed cutting means operable to cut a strappositioned therebetween, a restraining means adapted for opposingmovement of the strap retaining means, means for urging said cuttingmeans apart to a normally open position for receiving the straptherebetween, a gripping means operable to engage a strap to urge thestrap through and away from said restraining means to tension the strap,and an operating means mounted for movement independent of either ofsaid jaws and which is operatively connected to said gripping means andsaid cutting means to position said cutting means for tensioning andsubsequent cutting of the strap whereby the relative positions of saidcutting means are solely dependent on the position of the operatingmeans and independent of strap tension.

2. The handtool defined by claim 1 wherein said restraining means isformed independently of said cutting means.

3. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws are resilientand are secured together at one end thereof with said cutting meansrespectively positioned on the other end thereof and normally spacedapart to provide a resilient bias means therebetween.

4. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means ispivotally mounted to one of said jaws.

5. The handtool as defined in claim 4 wherein one of said jaws includesa fulcrum element extending from said jaw adjacent said cutters andhaving a pivot positioned away from other said jaw for pivotallyretaining said operating means.

6. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said gripping meanscomprises a pawl with tool means extending in opposing relation with thesurface of one of said jaws.

7. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said gripping meansfurther comprises a flat surface adapted to engage one of said jaws inthe absence of a strap between said pawl and said jaw to preventengagement of said tooth means with said aw.

8. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws has apassage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough afterbeing inserted between and beyond said cutting means.

9. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a guide mans is secured toone of said jaws between said jaws to direct the strap from between saidcutting means and into engagement with said gripping means.

10. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said pawl is adapted toengage a strap against one of said jaws to be operable for tensioningsaid strap.

11. The handtool as defined in claim 10 wherein said jaw is relieved ata predetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagementbetween said pawl and said jaw.

12. The handtool as defined in claim 1 including a deflecting meansopposite said cutting means to deflect a strap inserted through saidcutting means.

13. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a bias means is providedfor urging said gripping means into engagement with the strap insertedin said tool.

14. Tire handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means isprovided with a series of cam surface portions comprising a straptensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operating meansfor tensioning action through said gripping means without actuation ofsaid cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operatingsaid cutting means.

15. A handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means isprovided with a series of carn surface portions comprising a relievedportion to provide a full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jawpositioning portion with a flat surface for providing a stable detentposition for said operating means to tend to prevent movement of saidoperating means in either direction with said jaws are positioned, astrap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement of said operat ingmeans for tensioning action through said gripping means withoutactuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentric portionfor operating said cutting means.

16. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through astrap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnectedjawshaving respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap elementpositioned therebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collartherebetween, bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to anormally open position for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam leverpivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a frrll openposition through tensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawlmovably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof andhaving a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable toengage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters andany portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension thestrap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with thestrap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage andurge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response tothe tensioning and cutting movement of said lever to operate saidtensioning pawl and to operate said cutters.

17. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through astrap retaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jawshaving respectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap elementpositioned therebetween and to be positioned to selectively opposemovement of a retaining collar therebetween, bias means for resilientlyurging said jaws apart to a normally open position for receiving thestrap or strap retaining collar therebetween, a cam lever pivotallysecured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position throughpositioning, tensioning, and cutting movements, a tensioning pawlmovably connected to said lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof andhaving a gripping element extending between said jaws and operable toengage a strap to urge the strap through and away from said cutters andany portion of the strap restrained by said cutters to tension thestrap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl into engagement with thestrap, said cam lever having a cam surface means adapted to engage andurge said second jaw with respect to said bias thereof in response tothe positioning, tensioning, and cutting movement of said lever forrespectively moving said cutters to a partially closed position torestrain the retaining collar from movement therebetween with the strap,to operate said tensioning pawl, and to operate said cutters.

18. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said jaws are resilientand are secured together at one end thereof with said cuttersrespectively positioned on the other ends thereof and normally spacedapart to provide said bias resilient means therebetween.

19. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw includes afulcrum element extending from said first jaw adjacent said cutters andhaving a pivot positioned away from said first jaw and beyond saidsecond jaw for pivotally retaining said lever.

20. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said pawl gripping elementcomprises a tooth means extending in opposing relation with the surfaceof said first jaw.

21. A handtool as defined in claim 20 wherein said pawl gripping elementfurther comprises a flat surface adapted to engage said first jaw in theabsence of a strap between said pawl and said first jaw to preventengagement of said tooth means with said first jaw.

22. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein one of said jaws has apassage formed therein to allow the strap to pass therethrough afterbeing inserted between and beyond said cutters.

23. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein a guide means is securedto one of said jaws between said jaws to direct said strap from betweensaid cutters and under said pawl.

24. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said tensioning pawl isadapted to engage a strap against said first jaw to be operable fortensioning the strap.

25. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw is relievedat a predetermined position therealong to release the tensioningengagement between said pawl and said first aw.

26. A handtool as defined in claim 16 including a deflecting meansadjacent said interconnected portion thereof to deflect a strap insertedthrough said cutters and directed along said jaws toward saidinterconnected jaw portion thereof.

27. A handtool as defined in claim 17 wherein said cam surface means isa series of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion toprovide a full open position for said jaws, an

- eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flat surface for providing astable detent reaction between said lever and said second jaw to tend toprevent movement of said lever in either direction when said jaws arepositioned, a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement ofsaid lever for tensioning action through said pawl without sufficientreaction through said upper jaw with respect to said cutters to actuatesaid cutters, and a strap cutting eccentric portion for operating saidcutters.

28. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said cam lever is providedwith a series of cam portions comprising a strap tensioning concentricportion allowing movement of said cam lever for tensioning actionthrough said pawl gripping means without actuation of said cutters, anda strap cutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.

1. A handtool for tensioning and severiNg a strap extended through astrap retaining means comprising first and second interconnected jawshaving respectively opposed cutting means operable to cut a strappositioned therebetween, a restraining means adapted for opposingmovement of the strap retaining means, means for urging said cuttingmeans apart to a normally open position for receiving the straptherebetween, a gripping means operable to engage a strap to urge thestrap through and away from said restraining means to tension the strap,and an operating means mounted for movement independent of either ofsaid jaws and which is operatively connected to said gripping means andsaid cutting means to position said cutting means for tensioning andsubsequent cutting of the strap whereby the relative positions of saidcutting means are solely dependent on the position of the operatingmeans and independent of strap tension.
 2. The handtool defined by claim1 wherein said restraining means is formed independently of said cuttingmeans.
 3. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said jaws areresilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cuttingmeans respectively positioned on the other end thereof and normallyspaced apart to provide a resilient bias means therebetween.
 4. Thehandtool as defined in claim 1 wherein said operating means is pivotallymounted to one of said jaws.
 5. The handtool as defined in claim 4wherein one of said jaws includes a fulcrum element extending from saidjaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivot positioned away from othersaid jaw for pivotally retaining said operating means.
 6. The handtoolas defined in claim 1 wherein said gripping means comprises a pawl withtool means extending in opposing relation with the surface of one ofsaid jaws.
 7. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said grippingmeans further comprises a flat surface adapted to engage one of saidjaws in the absence of a strap between said pawl and said jaw to preventengagement of said tooth means with said jaw.
 8. The handtool as definedin claim 1 wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein toallow the strap to pass therethrough after being inserted between andbeyond said cutting means.
 9. The handtool as defined in claim 1 whereina guide mans is secured to one of said jaws between said jaws to directthe strap from between said cutting means and into engagement with saidgripping means.
 10. The handtool as defined in claim 6 wherein said pawlis adapted to engage a strap against one of said jaws to be operable fortensioning said strap.
 11. The handtool as defined in claim 10 whereinsaid jaw is relieved at a predetermined position therealong to releasethe tensioning engagement between said pawl and said jaw.
 12. Thehandtool as defined in claim 1 including a deflecting means oppositesaid cutting means to deflect a strap inserted through said cuttingmeans.
 13. The handtool as defined in claim 1 wherein a bias means isprovided for urging said gripping means into engagement with the strapinserted in said tool.
 14. The handtool as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid operating means is provided with a series of cam surface portionscomprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowing movement ofsaid operating means for tensioning action through said gripping meanswithout actuation of said cutting means, and a strap cutting eccentricportion for operating said cutting means.
 15. A handtool as defined inclaim 1 wherein said operating means is provided with a series of camsurface portions comprising a relieved portion to provide a full openposition for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portion with a flatsurface for providing a stable detent position for said operating meansto tend to prevent movement of said operating means in either directionwith said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioning concentric portionallowing movement of said operating means for tensioning action throughsaid gripping means without actuation of said cutting means, and a strapcutting eccentric portion for operating said cutting means.
 16. Ahandtool for tensioning and severing a strap extended through a strapretaining collar comprising first and second interconnected jaws havingrespectively opposing cutters operable to cut a strap element positionedtherebetween, and to oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween,bias means for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally openposition for receiving the strap therebetween, a cam lever pivotallysecured to said first jaw for movement from a full open position throughtensioning and cutting movements, a tensioning pawl movably connected tosaid lever eccentrically to said pivot thereof and having a grippingelement extending between said jaws and operable to engage a strap tourge the strap through and away from said cutters and any portion of thestrap restrained by said cutters to tension the strap, and pawl biasmeans for urging said pawl into engagement with the strap, said camlever having a cam surface means adapted to engage and urge said secondjaw with respect to said bias thereof in response to the tensioning andcutting movement of said lever to operate said tensioning pawl and tooperate said cutters.
 17. A handtool for tensioning and severing a strapextended through a strap retaining collar comprising first and secondinterconnected jaws having respectively opposing cutters operable to cuta strap element positioned therebetween and to be positioned toselectively oppose movement of a retaining collar therebetween, biasmeans for resiliently urging said jaws apart to a normally open positionfor receiving the strap or strap retaining collar therebetween, a camlever pivotally secured to said first jaw for movement from a full openposition through positioning, tensioning, and cutting movements, atensioning pawl movably connected to said lever eccentrically to saidpivot thereof and having a gripping element extending between said jawsand operable to engage a strap to urge the strap through and away fromsaid cutters and any portion of the strap restrained by said cutters totension the strap, and pawl bias means for urging said pawl intoengagement with the strap, said cam lever having a cam surface meansadapted to engage and urge said second jaw with respect to said biasthereof in response to the positioning, tensioning, and cutting movementof said lever for respectively moving said cutters to a partially closedposition to restrain the retaining collar from movement therebetweenwith the strap, to operate said tensioning pawl, and to operate saidcutters.
 18. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said jaws areresilient and are secured together at one end thereof with said cuttersrespectively positioned on the other ends thereof and normally spacedapart to provide said bias resilient means therebetween.
 19. A handtoolas defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw includes a fulcrum elementextending from said first jaw adjacent said cutters and having a pivotpositioned away from said first jaw and beyond said second jaw forpivotally retaining said lever.
 20. A handtool as defined in claim 16wherein said pawl gripping element comprises a tooth means extending inopposing relation with the surface of said first jaw.
 21. A handtool asdefined in claim 20 wherein said pawl gripping element further comprisesa flat surface adapted to engage said first jaw in the absence of astrap between said pawl and said first jaw to prevent engagement of saidtooth means with said first jaw.
 22. A handtool as defined in claim 16wherein one of said jaws has a passage formed therein to allow the strapto pass therethrough after being inserted between and beyond saidcutters.
 23. A handtool as defined in claim 16 wherein a guide means issecured to one of said jaws between said jaws to direct said strap frombetween said cutters and under said pawl.
 24. A handtool as defined inclaim 16 wherein said tensioning pawl is adApted to engage a strapagainst said first jaw to be operable for tensioning the strap.
 25. Ahandtool as defined in claim 16 wherein said first jaw is relieved at apredetermined position therealong to release the tensioning engagementbetween said pawl and said first jaw.
 26. A handtool as defined in claim16 including a deflecting means adjacent said interconnected portionthereof to deflect a strap inserted through said cutters and directedalong said jaws toward said interconnected jaw portion thereof.
 27. Ahandtool as defined in claim 17 wherein said cam surface means is aseries of cam surface portions comprising a relieved portion to providea full open position for said jaws, an eccentric jaw positioning portionwith a flat surface for providing a stable detent reaction between saidlever and said second jaw to tend to prevent movement of said lever ineither direction when said jaws are positioned, a strap tensioningconcentric portion allowing movement of said lever for tensioning actionthrough said pawl without sufficient reaction through said upper jawwith respect to said cutters to actuate said cutters, and a strapcutting eccentric portion for operating said cutters.
 28. A handtool asdefined in claim 16 wherein said cam lever is provided with a series ofcam portions comprising a strap tensioning concentric portion allowingmovement of said cam lever for tensioning action through said pawlgripping means without actuation of said cutters, and a strap cuttingeccentric portion for operating said cutters.